Explorer Mark Wood is preparing for the expedition of his life when he will battle freezing Arctic conditions to go where no one has ever walked before.

The former pupil at Finham Park School in Coventry is the co-leader of a new expedition to the Arctic Pole.

Other teams have tried to make the trip to the centre of the Arctic Ocean in the past but have been forced to turn back because of the horrific conditions.

Altogether Mark, 38, will travel across 1,400 miles of ice, dragging a sledge weighing as much as himself, in temperatures dipping to below minus 40 degrees.

The Ice Warrior expedition will also take in the magnetic North Pole, 322 miles north of the Canadian coastline, and the geographic North Pole, 411 miles away from the Arctic Pole.

Mark now lives in London but returns to Coventry regularly to see father Robert, who lives in Moat Avenue, Green Lane.

Mark is taking part in the trek for Cancer Research UK and in memory of his mum Carol who died from cancer.

He can also expect to encounter ridges of ice as high as double decker buses and polar bears.

Mark said: "We will see polar bears who have never seen humans before. We are trained to recognise how they behave - the trick is to observe them to see what they will do."

Additionally Mark will wear heavy-duty down lined clothing to keep out the cold - which traps any moisture created when the stoves are lit in the tent.

Mark's father Robert said he was very proud of his son.

He said: "I never stop worrying about him but what he does is amazing. I don't think he will ever stop - it is his life."

Mark is now calling for local businesses and individuals to help fund the trip - which will cost £550,000 in all - by sponsoring him.

He aims to raise £25,000, which will pay for 25 sledges.

In return sponsors can receive different packages, depending on how much they pay, which include anything from receiving day-to-day updates from the expedition to including the company name on the sledge.

Mark said: "No matter how big or small the donation it will help us in attempting this world record that will potentially raise millions for Cancer Research UK ."

Mark first became interested in exploring about three years ago

after meeting trek leader Jim McNeill through his work as a fire-fighter. Jim told him about treks he had taken part in, after which Mark became hooked.

He said: "I was in the army and worked in rescue, but nothing that was anywhere near as extreme as this.

"I'm so grateful Jim gave me the opportunity to do this."

Last year Mark made a 750-mile trip to the geomagnetic North Pole -and phoned his father at 5am to tell him he had arrived safe and well. ..SUPL: